Subcommittee on Government Operations Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) addressed the issue of mail theft during a hearing titled “An Update on Mail Theft and Crime.” He emphasized the widespread nature of mail theft and its adverse impact on Americans. Sessions called for Congressional support to aid the United States Postal Service (USPS) in protecting mail carriers and combating theft.
Sessions remarked, “The Postal Service is charged with delivering mail to every address in our nation 6 days a week.” He noted that there are multiple points within this system where criminals attempt to steal mail. He added, “It’s common for myself and other Members of Congress to hear about mail theft from our constituents.”
The USPS’s law enforcement arm, the Postal Inspection Service, has developed Project Safe Delivery as a strategy to combat mail theft. Despite progress, Sessions highlighted an alarming increase in letter carrier robberies by 845 percent from 2019 to 2023.
Sessions stressed the importance of Congress ensuring that the Postal Service responds effectively to these threats, safeguarding both letter carriers and the entire postal system. He stated, “Mail theft creates distrust in the Postal Service’s entire system, resulting in fewer people using the mail.”
He concluded by expressing anticipation for a comprehensive discussion on addressing these issues before peak mailing seasons like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sessions also underscored bipartisan cooperation within the Subcommittee on Government Operations.
